We’re sitting here at the airport in the Admiral’s Club (kinda like an internet bar with food/drink/TV) waiting to board for Chicago. Flight leaves at 6. Interview was interesting and went well (from my end of it). They said they hoped to have the decision made by Friday, but that it could possibly take longer.

The Mission Statement:"I want to show any young man that he is far tougher than he thinks, that he can accomplish more than what he dreamed and that his work ethic will take him wherever he wants to go." #BattleReady newhope

Arrived at school 15 minutes before the scheduled interview. Despite that, it didn’t start on time. (The other candidate (varsity DC) was still being interviewed.) I saw his wife in the office (she works at the school) and I said “Hello.” I left my name at the desk and was told, “THEY will be with you in a bit.” “They?” I took a seat and waited. I brought a hard copy of my C.A.L. Program, coaching resume (2 pages) and references (1 page). After about a 30 minute wait, the conference room door opened and the Varsity DC walked out. He was in a suit and tie. The athletic trainer happened to come in the office and told the DC he looked like a politician or like he was going to a funeral. I thought that was both funny and ironic. I was wearing a 2018 school coach’s shirt, black pants, dress belt and the “school tennis shoes” (blue and gold). Dressed well, but not overdressed. Looked like football coach instead of a politician. And certainly not as if I were heading towards a funeral. The principal stepped out in the hall and asked me to come inside. I walked in the room and five people greeted me: the principal, AD, and three others (2 males and 1 female) associated with the school. I took my seat and the interview began.

The Mission Statement:"I want to show any young man that he is far tougher than he thinks, that he can accomplish more than what he dreamed and that his work ethic will take him wherever he wants to go." #BattleReady newhope

In the group of five, only three of them asked questions with the principal asking most of them. Some of the questions that I remember being asked were “What would be the utopian situation for you in regards to communication?” “How would you develop relationships with players on the Varsity?” “How would you handle an unpopular decision made by the administration?” “How would you deal with having two coaching staffs?” “Define the difference between student and athlete.” “How would you deal with an angry principal?” “Since you’re not teaching, how would you meet with college coaches?” Mostly, I remember my answers rather than their questions. Very little was actually about football and was mostly about how do I work and establish relationships and communication with others. Regardless, I felt that the questions were straightforward, simple and very easy to answer. It was as if they’d given me the questions ahead of time. If anything, I was most concerned about brevity because I feel like I could have spoken for an hour about any question they posed. When you’ve fielded a lot of questions from coaches at clinics, on the phone or on this forum, it becomes easy to answer questions if you know what you do. After all, it’s less of a Q&A and more of you talking about your program and how you go about things. And for me, that’s pretty simple. I’ve said for years, have a reason for everything you do and know what that reason is. In this regard, the interview was very easy.

I have no idea what their feelings were or which direction they’re leaning. If I don’t get it, I’m fine with that. But it’s unlikely we’ll stay if we don’t feel like the next header will leave us alone. I came to this school with the understanding that I would be a head coach, could run MY double wing, and have autonomy. I also have to believe the new hire isn’t leading the teams off a cliff.

The Mission Statement:"I want to show any young man that he is far tougher than he thinks, that he can accomplish more than what he dreamed and that his work ethic will take him wherever he wants to go." #BattleReady newhope

In the group of five, only three of them asked questions with the principal asking most of them. Some of the questions that I remember being asked were “What would be the utopian situation for you in regards to communication?” “How would you develop relationships with players on the Varsity?” “How would you handle an unpopular decision made by the administration?” “How would you deal with having two coaching staffs?” “Define the difference between student and athlete.” “How would you deal with an angry principal?” “Since you’re not teaching, how would you meet with college coaches?” Mostly, I remember my answers rather than their questions. Very little was actually about football and was mostly about how do I work and establish relationships and communication with others. Regardless, I felt that the questions were straightforward, simple and very easy to answer. It was as if they’d given me the questions ahead of time. If anything, I was most concerned about brevity because I feel like I could have spoken for an hour about any question they posed. When you’ve fielded a lot of questions from coaches at clinics, on the phone or on this forum, it becomes easy to answer questions if you know what you do. After all, it’s less of a Q&A and more of you talking about your program and how you go about things. And for me, that’s pretty simple. I’ve said for years, have a reason for everything you do and know what that reason is. In this regard, the interview was very easy.

I have no idea what their feelings were or which direction they’re leaning. If I don’t get it, I’m fine with that. But it’s unlikely we’ll stay if we don’t feel like the next header will leave us alone. I came to this school with the understanding that I would be a head coach, could run MY double wing, and have autonomy. I also have to believe the new hire isn’t leading the teams off a cliff.

—Dave

Those are actually decent questions. They already have a "football" body of work from you.

In the group of five, only three of them asked questions with the principal asking most of them. Some of the questions that I remember being asked were “What would be the utopian situation for you in regards to communication?” “How would you develop relationships with players on the Varsity?” “How would you handle an unpopular decision made by the administration?” “How would you deal with having two coaching staffs?” “Define the difference between student and athlete.” “How would you deal with an angry principal?” “Since you’re not teaching, how would you meet with college coaches?” Mostly, I remember my answers rather than their questions. Very little was actually about football and was mostly about how do I work and establish relationships and communication with others. Regardless, I felt that the questions were straightforward, simple and very easy to answer. It was as if they’d given me the questions ahead of time. If anything, I was most concerned about brevity because I feel like I could have spoken for an hour about any question they posed. When you’ve fielded a lot of questions from coaches at clinics, on the phone or on this forum, it becomes easy to answer questions if you know what you do. After all, it’s less of a Q&A and more of you talking about your program and how you go about things. And for me, that’s pretty simple. I’ve said for years, have a reason for everything you do and know what that reason is. In this regard, the interview was very easy.

I have no idea what their feelings were or which direction they’re leaning. If I don’t get it, I’m fine with that. But it’s unlikely we’ll stay if we don’t feel like the next header will leave us alone. I came to this school with the understanding that I would be a head coach, could run MY double wing, and have autonomy. I also have to believe the new hire isn’t leading the teams off a cliff.

—Dave

I've had a couple of interviews where I was never asked about football related material. It was about how I would handle locker room situations, parents complaining about their kid's playing time, or communication. In my last interview, I also gave them an info packet on various subjects including S&C, reaching out to the community, practice plans and xs & os. The AD flipped through it. "Oh wow, practice plans!" Then he gets to the xs and os. "Hmm. I don't even know what any of that means."

Saw Rick Derringer and Grand Funk Railroad in Waukegan tonight. Derringer is an amazing guitarist, but GFR tore the roof off the place. Incredible show. Might find out tomorrow if I’m the new varsity header.

The Mission Statement:"I want to show any young man that he is far tougher than he thinks, that he can accomplish more than what he dreamed and that his work ethic will take him wherever he wants to go." #BattleReady newhope

Saw Rick Derringer and Grand Funk Railroad in Waukegan tonight. Derringer is an amazing guitarist, but GFR tore the roof off the place. Incredible show. Might find out tomorrow if I’m the new varsity header.

—Dave

Saw a fundraiser concert back in 2005 at Universal Studios Orlando night before the Super Bowl with those two and some others (Eddie Money, Robin Zander, Twisted Sister, Michael Bolton ). It was a really good show back then.

On a very similar note, I interviewed for our varsity HC position yesterday. I didn't apply. I actually texted the High School's AD who is our middle school AD as well asking him if I could be on the interview committee for the new HC position. He told me that would be a conflict of interest. I told him I didn't see how as I was not on the high school football staff. He said because you are one of the candidates. Floored me. I knew the position was open but had not applied, but evidently somebody had for me.

The following people were in the interview: HS Principal (outgoing, he is going to be new asst Superintendant), new HS principal, HS AD, HS asst AD, asst principal and a youth football coach with one year's experience.

They asked me the following questions:

1) Why do you think you would make a good head coach candidate, and why should they choose me?2) How would you deal with a conflict with a parent who disagreed with your coaching philosophy?3) What are your strengths/weaknesses and how will they affect you as the head coach?4) What things will you do to keep student athletes focused on attendance and grades?5) How would you manage practices and summer workouts since you are not a full time employee?

Easy questions to answer in my opinion, because i already have overall guidelines on what i do now for these situations.

They interviewed 5 internal candidates (including me) and two external ones. Of the 5 I only see 1 with the experience to get the job and I feel he pretty much has it, unless 1 or both of the external guys are ringers with proven success.The interview process was very similar to the one I had for the varsity wrestling position.

On a very similar note, I interviewed for our varsity HC position yesterday. I didn't apply. I actually texted the High School's AD who is our middle school AD as well asking him if I could be on the interview committee for the new HC position. He told me that would be a conflict of interest. I told him I didn't see how as I was not on the high school football staff. He said because you are one of the candidates. Floored me. I knew the position was open but had not applied, but evidently somebody had for me.

The following people were in the interview: HS Principal (outgoing, he is going to be new asst Superintendant), new HS principal, HS AD, HS asst AD, asst principal and a youth football coach with one year's experience.

They asked me the following questions:

1) Why do you think you would make a good head coach candidate, and why should they choose me?2) How would you deal with a conflict with a parent who disagreed with your coaching philosophy?3) What are your strengths/weaknesses and how will they affect you as the head coach?4) What things will you do to keep student athletes focused on attendance and grades?5) How would you manage practices and summer workouts since you are not a full time employee?

Easy questions to answer in my opinion, because i already have overall guidelines on what i do now for these situations.

They interviewed 5 internal candidates (including me) and two external ones. Of the 5 I only see 1 with the experience to get the job and I feel he pretty much has it, unless 1 or both of the external guys are ringers with proven success.The interview process was very similar to the one I had for the varsity wrestling position.

Good luck Tony I saw that the job was open and immediately thought of you!

I have no idea how many candidates there are for this job. If they’re going to go with me, I’ll hear about it today. If they aren’t, then the job will be decided by the end of the month. Principal wants to have a decision ASAP, that much I know. In the meantime, I’m renovating a house here in Illinois so I’ve got other things on my mind. 😊

The Mission Statement:"I want to show any young man that he is far tougher than he thinks, that he can accomplish more than what he dreamed and that his work ethic will take him wherever he wants to go." #BattleReady newhope